Colbert’s Peanuts Finale Gag Leads to Surprise Licensing Deal

During the May 21 finale of The Late Show, Colbert engaged in a meta-commentary segment about the legal risks of using Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts music without permission. As he warned viewers that rights holders take copyright enforcement seriously, bandleader Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine began playing the song. Colbert feigned shock, quipping that he hoped the stunt would not hit CBS’s bottom line.

Weeks later, Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which manages the Guaraldi catalog, confirmed that CBS entered into a formal licensing agreement to cover the broadcast. While financial terms remain private, the company announced that all proceeds from the deal will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the humanitarian nonprofit founded by José Andrés. The gesture aligns with a $2.5 million donation the show previously gifted to the organization. Jason Mendelson, chairman of the production company, noted that they found the segment entertaining and saw the licensing process as an opportunity to educate others on the necessity of obtaining proper rights for commercial use.